WATCH: All the spectacular throwdowns in the 2018 PBA Slam Dunk competition
Every year, the league’s high-flying players go out of their way and bring out all the tricks to give fans a good show during the PBA Slam Dunk competition, one of the most anticipated side events during the All-Star week.
This edition was as entertaining as ever as the participants took the dunk-off during the Batangas leg of the All-Stars on Friday to a whole new level—with some somersaulting, motorcycle and ice cream among others.
Here are some of the memorable and the not-so dunks this year:
Blackwater’s Renz Palma was a revelation in this year’s competition, impressing everyone with his mad hops—no props needed.
NO PROPS NEEDED! 39 for Renz Palma! #PBAAllStar2018 | @RLeongsonINQpic.twitter.com/K8JIHeOgr6
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 25, 2018
Renz Palma with 37 points! #PBAAllStar2018 pic.twitter.com/UmdXPHOqEl
— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) May 25, 2018
Renz Palma is putting on a show! 40 points! #PBAAllStar2018 | @RLeongsonINQ pic.twitter.com/YNJ5NY3qiJ
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 25, 2018
The young star made it to the Finals along with eventual champion Rey Guevarra and he nearly snatched the crown from one of the league’s slam legends:
RENZ PALMA CAN FLY! 39 POINTS! #PBAAllStar2018 | @RLeongsonINQpic.twitter.com/VyXVIziuqs
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 25, 2018
Meralco’s Chris Newsome, meanwhile, got creative with his throwdowns—really, REALLY creative—in an all-out effort to retain his Slam Dunk crown.
Chris Newsome’s tinikling dunk gets him a 34! #PBAAllStar2018 pic.twitter.com/csTwsQmV4k
— Randolph B. Leongson (@RLeongsonINQ) May 25, 2018
He brought he sweet stuff to the floor, literally, with this attempt:
Sweet as ice cream! Chris Newsome with 38 for this dunk! #PBAAllStar2018 | @RLeongsonINQ pic.twitter.com/u7vHpAXU5p
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 25, 2018
GlobalPort’s Lervin Flores also tried to shake things up by doing some flips before skying high for the dunk, but just fell short…way short.
Shaqtin Alert! #PBAAllStar2018 | @RLeongsonINQ pic.twitter.com/w5qstzJVPj
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 25, 2018
Shaqtin Take 2! #PBAAllStar2018 | @RLeongsonINQ pic.twitter.com/jPMsWObcsA
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 25, 2018
Finally! 31 for Lervin Flores! #PBAAllStar2018 | @RLeongsonINQ pic.twitter.com/vRh0Sjm37e
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 25, 2018
Phoenix’s Guevarra, meanwhile, showed why he has been lording in this side-event for years and why he deserved a fourth crown, just one short of the record held by KG Canaleta.
But this year, he needed to dig deep into his bag of tricks—including jumping over a motorcycle—to beat a younger competitor with fresher legs but Guevarra still managed to wow the crowd with his above the rim magic.
Rey Guevarra can’t stop jumping over things! 40 points! #PBAAllStar2018 | @RLeongsonINQ pic.twitter.com/VcgeJKEJZD
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 25, 2018
Vintage Rey Guevarra! 39 for him! #PBAAllStar2018 | @RLeongsonINQ pic.twitter.com/NAiVm9F1i1
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 25, 2018
PERFECT 40! REY GUEVARRA GETS HIS 4TH SLAM DUNK TITLE! #PBAAllStar2018 | @RLeongsonINQpic.twitter.com/mXF9XDSoNn
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) May 25, 2018
Guevarra edged Palma by just one point in their dunk off as they wound up tied at 75 after their first two attempts in the finals.
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